Eighth Anniversary of the 9/11 Attacks

September 11, 2009 12:00:00 AM PDT

By Linsey Davis

New York, NY --

For the first time, the 9/11 anniversary is being recognized as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. Commemorations took place at New York's Ground Zero, the Pentagon and the field in Shanksville where Flight 93 was downed. President Obama led a moment of silence outside the White House Friday at 8:46 eastern time, the moment the first jet struck the World Trade Center.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Click here for 9/11 Memorial Events around the Valley -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As if to sympathize with the mood of the day, rain and clouds showed up in abundance. Mourners did too with heavy hearts, weighted down by what happened here eight years ago.

"My husband Cessant Alviar worked on the 94th floor of tower one as an accountant," said Grace Alviar.

As in years past, there were four moments of silence-starting at 8:46 when the first plane hit the north tower.

Family members and volunteers read all 2,752 names of World Trade Center victims. There were also words of remembrance.

Time is said to heal all wounds, still eight-years later grief and a sense of heroism was shared from ground zero to the field in rural Pennsylvania to the Pentagon.

At the memorial, President Obama commemorated his first September 11th anniversary as president. "No turning of the season can diminish the pain and the loss of that day. No passage of time and no dark skies can ever dull the meaning of this moment."

Construction is still underway here for a memorial where the twin towers once stood. The mayor said people will be able to walk on the plaza by 9/11/2011.